The How and Why of Pranayama with Monica Voss

Pranayama is often translated and understood as a method to control the breath. In this video, Monica Voss of Esther Myers Yoga in Toronto points out that viewing pranayama as a means to control the breath can actually be a source of stress and anxiety. “We were born, and we began to breathe, and nobody needed to teach us.” Join Monica on an exploration of pranayama, what it is, what it isn’t and why it’s easier to practice than you might think.

Western yoga practitioners are captivated primarily by asana. For many, this is the only aspect of yoga that they will engage in their lives, which some would describe as similar to eating the bun and ignoring the hot dog (tofu hot dog, of course). While asana-based yoga provides great physical benefits, adding a little pranayama to your practice can help you cultivate the single most important activity in your life: breathing.

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1 thought on “The How and Why of Pranayama with Monica Voss”

There is a special place in yoga for Pranayama. Beginners or advanced yoga students must know how to control their breathing during their practice. Breathing synchronicity for practitioners is what has set yoga apart from other practices.